Big Play

WHO
Camilo Villegas

WHAT
46-foot birdie putt to 22 inches

WHERE
235-yard par-3 18th hole at East Lake Golf Club

WHEN
First playoff hole at the Tour Championship

WHY
During his first few seasons Villegas looked as if he were tied in a knot on the greens. This year, however, the Colombian has been a new man while putting. His natural and flowing rhythm has moved him from 86th in putting in 2007 to 18th in '08. That newfound flatstick savvy led him to victory at East Lake, where on Sunday he drained a 12-footer for birdie at 17, then hit two gorgeous lag putts for tap-ins at 18, in regulation and in the playoff.

JIM'S TIP
For a Good Lag, Lead with the Right

On lag putts, hit primarily with the right side of your body for better feel and distance control. To practice, hit lags while holding the putter with only your right hand and looking at the target, which will help ease grip pressure. In a good lag stroke you won't bend your wrists at impact, but you'll keep them solid so at the finish the butt of the club points at your belly button instead of your right hip.

Jim Suttie teaches at TwinEagles Country Club in Naples, Fla.

... AND ANOTHER THING

"Corey Pavin will be the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain. He's a fiery competitor, always focused, and is friends with everybody."

GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL

Who should be PGA Tour player of the year?

Padraig

Harrington 64%

Tiger Woods 25%

Vijay Singh 11%

"Majors trump regular wins; ask Tiger or Jack."
—GARY WIREN, TRUMP INTERNATIONAL

PHOTO

COURTESY OF NBC (VILLEGAS)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND)

TWO PHOTOS

ERICK W. RASCO (SUTTIE)

PHOTO

MIKE EHRMANN (HARRINGTON)